IMM 1295: Application for a Work Permit Made Outside of Canada
Form IMM 1295 is the application a foreign national completes to apply for a Canadian work permit from outside Canada. Download the official IRCC PDF and open it in Adobe Reader to fill it in.
This is the genuine IRCC PDF, unmodified. Source: IRCC official page.
What is IMM 1295?
The Application for a Work Permit Made Outside of Canada, IMM 1295, is issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Foreign nationals use it when they are outside Canada and want authorisation to work here, whether the job is supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment or falls under an exemption. The form collects personal details, passport and contact information, details of the intended employer and job, and the applicant’s work and education history.
IMM 1295 is a dynamic PDF built with Adobe XFA technology, so it will not open in a web browser or the macOS Preview app and cannot be completed in the browser here. Download it and open it in the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to fill it in, then use the Validate button to generate the 2D barcode pages IRCC needs. Depending on your situation you may apply together with a temporary resident visa, and biometrics are usually required.
Who files IMM 1295?
- Foreign nationals applying for a Canadian work permit from outside Canada
- Workers with a job offer supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment
- Applicants under an LMIA exempt category such as an international agreement
- People applying for an open work permit from abroad where they are eligible
How to fill out IMM 1295
- Download the form and open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader, because this dynamic PDF will not display in a browser or preview app.
- Complete your personal details, passport information and current contact address exactly as shown on your documents.
- Enter the details of your intended employer, job and work location in Canada, and the type of work permit you are seeking.
- Add your education and work history and answer the background questions fully.
- Click Validate in Adobe Reader to create the barcode pages, then submit IMM 1295 to IRCC with your application package, usually through your online account, and give biometrics if you are asked to.
Get IMM 1295
This is a dynamic PDF from IRCC: it only fills in correctly in Adobe Acrobat Reader, so there is no in-browser fill here. Download the genuine IMM 1295 below and open it in the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to complete and save it.
Download the official IMM 1295 PDFFrequently asked questions
Do I need a job offer to use IMM 1295?
Most applicants need a job offer, and many need a Labour Market Impact Assessment to support it. Some applicants qualify for an open work permit or an LMIA exempt category. Check which stream applies to you before you apply.
Why does the form appear blank?
IMM 1295 is a dynamic XFA form that browsers and the macOS Preview app cannot display. Save it and open it in the free Adobe Acrobat Reader, and the fields will appear.
Is there a fee to apply?
A work permit application has a processing fee, and an open work permit holder fee may also apply. Fees change over time, so check the current fee at the IRCC site before you pay.